AUGUST 2013 POLICY BRIEF

Why Do People

PAID SICK DAYS Go To Work Sick? How Grocers and Retailers Can Curb the Given the wages and income Spread of Illness and Promote Public Health for front-line workers, it is not surprising that, in the absence Local officials and public health illness depends on whether they PAIDadvocates SICK haveDAYS: brought How paid Grocers sick and areRetailers able to stayCan home Curb when the Spreadthey of Illnessof adequate and paid sick days, Promotedays to the Public forefront Health of the public are sick. And yet, evidence shows workers often choose to come PAID SICK DAYS: How Grocers healthand debateRetailers in Washington Can over Curb thethat farSpread too few grocery of Illness employers and to work sick, rather than losing Localthe lastofficials few andyears. public Because health private advocates haveoffer brought paid paidsick leavesick days to theirto the forefront of themuch-needed public income. Whether Promote Public Health health debate in Washington over the last few years. Because private businesses employ most people PAID SICK DAYS: How Grocersbusinesses employand Retailers most people Canemployees. Curb the Spread of Illness orand not workers have union andand also also decide decide whether whether workers workers can take time off for illness, the public relies on them to adopt Promote Public Health responsible policies that limit the spread of illness. Employers in food industries, such as groceryrepresentation and appears to play Local officials and public health advocatescan havetake time brought off for illness, paid sickthe days toIn a the recent forefront survey of groceryof the storepublic supercenterpublic relies retail, on them play a to particularly adopt importantand role. supercenter workers in King an important a role. health debate in Washington over the lastresponsible few years. policies Because that limit theprivate businessesCounty, Puget employ Sound Sage most found people Local officials and public healthGrocery advocates workers are have on the brought front lines paid of food sick safety. days Their to abilitythe forefrontto protect their of customersthe public from and also decide whether workers can takespread time of illness. off for Employers illness, in the publicthat relies a large on proportion them to of adopt grocery • Non-union workers in this health debate in Washington illnessover dependsthe last on few being years. able to stayBecause home when private they are businesses sick. And yet, employevidence shows most that people far too responsible policies that limit the spreadfewfood ofgrocery industries,illness. employers Employerssuch offer as grocery paid sickin food leave toindustries,workers their employees. in King such County as gogrocery to work and survey earned a median wage and also decide whether workers and cansupercenter take time retail, off play for a illness, sick.the Mostpublic cited relies inadequate on them paid to adopt supercenter retail, play a particularly important role. 1 of $11.00, and an average of responsible policies that limit Intheparticularly a recent spread survey important of of illness. grocery role. store Employers and supercentertime in food off workers as industries, a reason. in King County, such Puget as Soundgrocery Sage andfound Grocery workers are on the front $11.76. Comparable union supercenter retail, play a particularlythat a large important proportion of role.grocery workers in King County go to work sick. Most cited inadequate paid Grocery workers are on the front lines timeoflines food off of as food asafety. reason. safety.1 TheirTheir ability ability to protectAnalysis theirof the surveycustomers results foundfrom members in King County earn a median of $15.00, and an illness depends on being able to stay home to protect when their they customers are sick. from And yet,that: evidence shows that far too Grocery workers are on the front lines of food safety. Their ability to protectAnalysis of their the survey customers results found from that: average of $15.06. 14 few grocery employers offer paid sick leave to their employees. illness depends on being able to stayHave home you when gone they to workare sick. sick And in yet, the evidence last year? shows that far too Have you gone to work sick in the last year? • few grocery employers offer paid sick leave to their employees.  42% of grocery store and 45% of workers in non- • 42% of grocery store and In a recent survey of grocery store and supercenter workers in King County, Pugetsupercenter Sound Sage workers found surveyed have goneunionized to stores reported supercenter workers surveyed that a large proportion of grocery workers in King County go to work sick.No Most citedwork sick inadequate in the past year. paid have gone to work sick in the going to work sick in the last In a recent survey1 of grocery store and supercenter workers in King County, PugetTwo out Sound of three Sage (66%) found said that they time off as a reason. Yespast year. year, whereas 31% of workers that a large proportion of grocery workers in King County go to work sick.did Most so because cited they inadequate did not have paid paid sick in union stores reported going time off as a reason.1 42% • Two out ofdays, three had (66%) used said all of their paid time off Analysis of the surveythat they results didalready, so becausefound and/or that:theyhad wanted to save theirto work while sick.

did not havepaid paid time sick off. days, 58% Analysis hadof the used survey all of theirOther results paid worker time found surveys that: have shown Have you gone to work sick in the last year? Workers also need access to off already,similar and/or results, had suchwanted as food systemhealthcare workers when they are sick  42% ofto grocery save theirwho store paid went time andto work off. sick (53%), and grocery Have you gone to work sick in the last year? deli workers who went to work sick– unionin the grocery members who • Other worker surveys have supercenter workers surveyedpast year (51%). have2 gone to work at least 15 hours per week  shown42% similar of grocery results, such store as and No work sick in the past year. food system workers who went qualify for quality healthcare, supercenter workers surveyed have gone to  Two outto workof three sick (53%), (66%) and said grocery that they including preventive care. Yes No work sick in the past year. did so becausedeli they workers did notwho wenthave to paid work sick Why are grocery and retail workers important sickTwo in the out pastto publicof year three (51%). health? (66%)2 said that they 42% In addition to the commonYes coldsdays, and hadflus that used are passedall of alongtheir when paid an time ill cashier off touches every item did so because they did not have paid sick that goes into a customer’s groceryalready, bag, seriousand/or illnesses had wantedare spread asto a save result oftheir people working while 42% sick. days, had used all of their paid time off paid time off. 1  The Centers for Disease Control andalready, Prevention and/or recently had found wanted that sick foodto save workers their cause 58% over half of norovirus outbreaks, Other and contributed worker to surveys another 29% have of outbreaks. shown3 paid time off.  During the H1N1 Pandemicsimilar in 2009, results, sick workers such asmay food have causedsystem as many workers as 7 million co‐ 58%workers to get sick.4  Other worker surveys have shown  In 2011, 16% of documentedwho went foodborne to work illnesses sick in Washington (53%), and were grocery caused by ill food 5 similar results, such as food system workers workers. deli workers who went to work sick in the who went2 to work sick (53%), and grocery past year (51%). deli workers who went to work sick in the

past year (51%).2

Why are grocery and retail workers important to public health? In additionWhy to the are common grocery colds and and retail flus that workers are passed important along when toan illpublic cashier health? touches every item that goes into a customer’s grocery bag, serious illnesses are spread as a result of people working while In addition to the common colds and flus that are passed along when an ill cashier touches every item sick. that goes into a customer’s grocery bag, serious illnesses are spread as a result of people working while  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently found that sick food workers cause sick. over half of norovirus outbreaks, and contributed to another 29% of outbreaks.3  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently found that sick food workers cause  During the H1N1 Pandemic in 2009, sick workers may have caused as many as 7 million co‐ over half of norovirus outbreaks, and contributed to another 29% of outbreaks.3 workers to get sick.4  During the H1N1 Pandemic in 2009, sick workers may have caused as many as 7 million co‐  In 2011, 16% of documented foodborne illnesses in Washington were caused by ill food workers to get sick.4 workers.5  In 2011, 16% of documented foodborne illnesses in Washington were caused by ill food workers.5

WHY ARE GROCERY AND RETAIL WORKERS IMPORTANT TO PUBLIC HEALTH?

In addition to the common colds and flus that are passed along when an ill cashier touches every item that goes into a customer’s grocery bag, serious illnesses are spread as a result of people working while sick. • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently found that sick food workers cause over half of norovirus outbreaks, and contributed to another 29% of outbreaks.3 • During the H1N1 Pandemic in 2009, sick workers may have caused as many as 7 million co-workers to get sick.4 • In 2011, 16% of documented foodborne illnesses in Washington were caused by ill food workers.5

LACK OF PAID SICK LEAVE CAN HARM CHILD HEALTH

No caregiver should be forced to choose between caring for a sick child and going to work so they can pay the bills. However, without adequate paid sick leave, manyLack families of paidmust decidesick leave between can caring harm for child a sick healthchild at home and losing neededNo caregiver pay or should risking be their forced jobs. to6 choose between caring for a sick child and going to work so they can • pay the bills. However, without adequate paid sick leave, many families must decide between caring for One in five workers in our survey (20%) live with at least one child 6 and do not havea sick any child other at home adults and in theirlosing households. needed pay or risking their jobs.

• In Washington, the majorityOne in five of preschoolers of workers in andour school-agesurvey (20%) live with at least one child and do not have any other 7 children live in homesadults where in theirall parents households. are employed.  In Washington, the majority of preschoolers and school‐age children live in homes where all Adequate paid sick days meanparents fewer are children employed. going7 to school sick. When parents can stay at home with their kids, recovery times are shorter and germs stay home too—ensuring healthier schools, families and Adequate paid sick days mean fewer children going to school sick. When parents can stay at home with communities. 8 their kids, recovery times are shorter and germs stay home too—ensuring healthier schools, families and communities. 8 FEWER WORK SICK IN SEATTLE WHERE PAID Fewer work sick in Seattle where paid sick leave is required by law SICK LEAVE SageIS REQUIRED surveyed grocery andBY supercenter LAW workers five to six months after the More workers in King Co. have gone to Sage surveyed grocery and supercenter workers five to implementation of the Paid Sick and Safe work sick in the last year than in Seattle six months after theTime implementation Ordinance in ofSeattle. the Paid Although Sick and a Safe Time Ordinancerecent in Seattle. survey Although of Seattle a recent employers survey 50% of Seattle employersrevealed revealed incomplete incomplete compliance compliance with the 40% 9 with the law, our resultslaw,9 indicateour results that indicate fewer grocerythat fewer and 30% supercenter employees in Seattle are working while sick. grocery and supercenter employees in 20% • One out of threeSeattle Seattle are working respondents while (33%)sick. had 10%  gone to work sick. One out of three Seattle 0% respondents (33%) had gone to • In contrast, 46% of non-Seattle respondents had work sick. King Seattle Total gone to work sick.  In contrast, 46% of non‐Seattle respondents had gone to work sick.  One Seattle worker shared: “I went to work sick before the sick leave law passed. Now we can 2 PUGET SOUND SAGE call out the first day and still get paid. Everyone used Forty Percent of Grocery Workers to come to work sick Get Fewer than 5 Paid Days Off* because they couldn't 7% 0 days afford to lose a day's pay.”

26% 1‐5 days Profitable grocery 33% giants not offering 6‐10 days paid time off to workers 13% 11‐20 days Large grocery chains not only short workers paid sick 12% 8% 21 or more days leave, but any paid time off at all. All workers in the Don't know

*including vacation, sick and holidays Lack of paid sick leave can harm child health No caregiver should be forced to choose between caring for a sick child and going to work so they can pay the bills. However, without adequate paid sick leave, many families must decide between caring for a sick child at home and losing needed pay or risking their jobs.6

 One in five of workers in our survey (20%) live with at least one child and do not have any other adults in their households.  In Washington, the majority of preschoolers and school‐age children live in homes where all parents are employed.7

Adequate paid sick days mean fewer children going to school sick. When parents can stay at home with their kids, recovery times are shorter and germs stay home too—ensuring healthier schools, families and communities. 8

Fewer work sick in Seattle where paid sick leave is required by law • One Seattle worker shared: “I went to workSage sick beforesurveyed the grocery sick and supercenter leave law passed. Now we can call out the first day and still get workers five to six months after the More workers in King Co. have gone to paid. Everyone used to come to work sick because they couldn’t implementation of the Paid Sick and Safe work sick in the last year than in Seattle afford to lose a day’s pay.” Time Ordinance in Seattle. Although a recent survey of Seattle employers 50% revealed incomplete compliance with the 40% PROFITABLE GROCERY GIANTSlaw, NOT9 our results indicate that fewer 30% grocery and supercenter employees in 20% OFFERING PAID TIME OFF TO WORKERSSeattle are working while sick. 10%  One out of three Seattle 0% Large grocery chains not only short workers paid sick leave,respondents but any paid (33%) had gone to time off at all. All workers in the survey were employed bywork chain sick. stores King Seattle Total with more than 10 locations, or by stores with about 100 employeesIn contrast, per 46% of non‐Seattle 10 store and a minimum of 4 locations. These grocers compriserespondents some of had gone to work sick. the largest retailers in the world, selling and earning billions One of dollarsSeattle worker shared: “I went to work sick before the sick leave law passed. Now we can each year, and compensating executive call out the first day and officers in the tens of millions of dollars. still get paid. Everyone used However, few of their frontline workers in the Forty Percent of Grocery Workers to come to work sick Seattle area receive adequate paid time off because they couldn't for any purpose. Get Fewer than 5 Paid Days Off* 7% 0 days afford to lose a day's pay.”

• Only one in three workers surveyed 26% (33%) received more than five days 1‐5 days Profitable grocery of paid time off. 33% giants not offering • 40% received zero to five days of 6‐10 days paid time off to total paid time off per year: which includes vacation, sick days, workers holidays, etc. 13% 11‐20 days Large grocery chains not • One out of four workers (26%) did only short workers paid sick not know how much paid time off 12% 8% 21 or more days leave, but any paid time off they earn. at all. All workers in the

Recent developments in the Seattle area Don't know illustrate the extent to which some grocery chains consider paid sick time of marginal value for workers and the public. Safeway, *including vacation, sick and holidays Kroger and Albertsons are, as of this publication, bargaining with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 21, UFCW 367 and Teamsters 38, over wages and benefits for workers in the Puget Sound.11 These chains have responded to the Seattle paid sick days law by proposing that workers opt out of their rights under the city ordinance as well as waive their rights from any future paid sick leave laws that may pass in Washington State.12 But unionized grocery workers are bargaining hard to win a fair sick leave plan. And public opinion shows strong support for the concept of paid sick laws; nationwide 86% of voters think it is important that Congress and the president consider such laws at the federal level.13

PUGET SOUND SAGE 3 Recommendations:

Adequate paid sick leave can help prevent the spread of disease and ensure that no-one has to choose between being a responsible member of society – as a parent, caretaker or front-line food-handler – and being a good employee. Workers should not have to face threats of lost income or lost jobs by staying home when sick.

As such, local and State legislators and public health off icials should continue to explore requirements for businesses - where needed – to provide minimum paid sick days.

But major grocers should not wait for public off icials to act. Grocery retailers across the region should voluntarily adopt employee policies that prioritize protecting public health. Specifically, grocery and retail employers should:

• Adopt company policies that off er adequate paid sick days to both full-time and part-time employees.

• Cease bargaining with grocery workers’ unions to forgo their rights to paid sick live granted by city and municipal laws.

• Comply with and support current and future city, county and state standards that guarantee workers access to paid time off when they are sick.

PUGET SOUND SAGE 4 Notes

1 For more information about Puget Sound Sage’s survey of mostly non-union workers in the grocery and supercenter industries in King County, contact the Sage offices at (206) 568.5000, 1032 S. Jackson Street, Suite 203, Seattle, WA 98104. www.pugetsoundsage.org 2 The Food Chain Workers Alliance, 2012.”The Hands that Feed Us: Challenges and Opportunities for Workers along the Food Chain.” Available at: http://foodchainworkers.org/wp-content/ uploads/2012/06/Hands-That-Feed-Us-Report.pdf, accessed May 20, 2013. The survey of over 150 grocery deli workers, conducted in 2010-2011, predates the City of Seattle’s Paid Sick and Safe Time ordinance. It was conducted by the University of Washington Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 21 (UFCW 21). More information available by request from Sharon Maeda: smaeda@ ufcw21.org. 3 Over 80% of these norovirus outbreaks involved food prepared in commercial settings, such as restaurants, delis or catering businesses. Hall, Aaron J., Valerie G. Eisenbart, Amy Lehman Etingüe, L. Hannah Gould, Ben A. Lopman, and Umesh D. Parashar. “Epidemiology of foodborne norovirus outbreaks, United States, 2001–2008,” Emerging Infectious Diseases. (October 2012). Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid1810.120833, accessed May 16, 2013. 4 Drago, Robert and Kevin Miller. “Sick at Work: Infected Employees in the Workplace during the H1N1 Pandemic,” Institute for Women’s Policy Research (January 2010). Available at: http:// www.iwpr.org/publications/pubs/sick-at-work-infected-employees-in-the-workplace-during- the-h1n1-pandemic, accessed July 10, 2013. 5 Data as analyzed from the Washington Department of Health, Communicable Disease Report 2011. Available at: http://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/5100/420-004- CDAnnualReport2011.pdf, accessed June 30, 2013. 6 Seattle’s paid sick and safe time ordinance provides up to 9 days per year for full-time workers who work at large businesses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics finds that nearly three-fourths (73%) of larger, private establishments offer paid sick leave, with an average of 8 days per year for newer workers in all private industry. See Van Giezen, Robert W. “Paid Leave in Private Industry over the Past 20 Years.” Beyond the Numbers: Pay & Benefits (August 2013). Available at: http://www.bls.gov/opub/btn/volume-2/paid-leave-in-private-industry-over-the-past-20-years. htm, accessed August 19, 2013. 7 U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey 1-year estimates as cited in Watkins, Marilyn. “Evaluating paid sick leave social, economic and health implications for Washington.” Economic Opportunity Institute (May 2013). Available at: http://www.eoionline.org/work_and_ family/reports/WA-PSD-May13.pdf, accessed May 30, 2013. 8 For more information on the effects of inadequate access to paid sick leave, see Marilyn Watkins, 2013, cited above. 9 Romich, Jennifer, Cori Mar and Chiho Song. “City of Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance Evaluation Project: Findings from the Initial Employer Survey.” University of Washington (June 2013). Available at: http://www.thestranger.com/images/blogimages/2013/07/08/1373322983- sick_safeleavebaselinereport070213.pdf, accessed July 10, 2013. 10 Stores include: 99 Ranch, Cash and Carry, Costco, Grocery Outlet, Hmart, Safeway, Sam’s Club, Target, Town & Country, Trader Joe’s, Uwajimaya, Walmart, Whole Foods, and Winco. 11 Information about bargaining can be found on UFCW 21’s website, ufcw21.org, and on its Facebook page for bargaining, https://www.facebook.com/2013GroceryBargainingUFCW21. Posts on the latter, dated May 11, 2013, describe the employers’ proposals regarding paid sick leave. See also http://www.ufcw21.org/content/take-action-%E2%80%93-jump-start- negotiations and http://www.ufcw21.org/content/stand-together-%E2%80%94-fight-our-future, accessed August 18, 2013. 12 As of August 2013, members of UFCW 21 are currently bargaining a contract with national chains 1032 S. Jackson Street, Ste 203 (Safeway, Kroger and Albertsons) that will set standards for the majority of retail food workers in King County. Seattle, WA 98104 13 “New poll shows bipartisan voter mandate for family friendly workplace policies.” National (206) 568-5000 Partnership for Women and Families (December 3, 2012). Available at: http://www. nationalpartnership.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=36857, accessed May 25, 2013.

14 Data provided by UFCW 21, which periodically obtains all wage data for its members. For direct pugetsoundsage.org comparability to the survey data, UFCW 21 calculated these numbers and included only union members who are at least 18 years old, work in King County, and had worked at least 3 months. Data is as of August 2013.

tl/opeiu8/2013

5